Football Features

England Striker Rashford Trains With Team Ahead of Tunisia Match at FIFA World Cup

England Striker Rashford Trains With Team Ahead of Tunisia Match at FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 15 (Sputnik) - England forward Marcus Rashford resumed training with the rest of the team's FIFA World Cup squad, after recovering from a minor injury, the team said on Friday. 15 Jun 2018
Almost 70% of Germans Against Political Boycott of FIFA World Cup in Russia - Poll

Almost 70% of Germans Against Political Boycott of FIFA World Cup in Russia - Poll

MOSCOW, June 15 (Sputnik) - A total of 69 percent of Germans consider it inappropriate of German politicians to boycott the FIFA World Cup in Russia, a poll, conducted by German research institute Infratest dimap for ARD broadcaster, revealed on Thursday night. 15 Jun 2018
Putin Has Positive Emotions After Russia-Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup Opening Game -Kremlin

Putin Has Positive Emotions After Russia-Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup Opening Game -Kremlin

MOSCOW, June 15 (Sputnik) - The opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, during which Russia beat Saudi Arabia, gave Russian President Vladimir Putin positive emotions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. 15 Jun 2018
France Forwards Mbappe, Giroud Resume Group Training Ahead of Australia Match at World Cup

France Forwards Mbappe, Giroud Resume Group Training Ahead of Australia Match at World Cup

KAZAN, June 15 (Sputnik) - France forwards Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud trained with the rest of the squad, after recovering from their respective injuries, ahead of the team's first FIFA World Cup match against Australia, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Friday. 15 Jun 2018
Zenit Defender Nabiullin Says Russia Can Do More Than Just Reach World Cup Knockout Stage

Zenit Defender Nabiullin Says Russia Can Do More Than Just Reach World Cup Knockout Stage

ST. PETERSBURG, June 15 (Sputnik) - Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Elmir Nabiullin said on Friday that the Russian national football team can do more than just advance to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup, after the team defeated Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match of the tournament at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday. 15 Jun 2018
Iceland train ahead of Argentina clash

Iceland train ahead of Argentina clash

All 23 players of the Icelandic national football team trained together at a stadium in Moscow ahead of their Saturday's match against Argentina. 15 Jun 2018
Gabriel Jesus hails Brazil's 'perfect defence'

Gabriel Jesus hails Brazil's 'perfect defence'

Manchester City and Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus said Friday that Brazil had a "balanced" World Cup squad courtesy of their "perfect defence." 15 Jun 2018
Huge crowds attend Moscow World Cup fan fest

Huge crowds attend Moscow World Cup fan fest

Almost 67,000 people attended Moscow's 2018 FIFA World Cup fan fest on the first day of the tournament on Thursday, the press service of Moscow’s Department of Sport and Tourism told Sputnik on Friday. 15 Jun 2018
Russia World Cup 'surprises' Bolivian President

Russia World Cup 'surprises' Bolivian President

Bolivian President Evo Morales said on his Twitter on Friday that the organization of the FIFA World Cup in Russia was "surprising" and noted the hospitality of the Russian people. 15 Jun 2018
Almost 67,000 attend St. Petersburg's Fan Fest on opening day

Almost 67,000 attend St. Petersburg's Fan Fest on opening day

Almost 67,000 people attended the 2018 FIFA World Cup fan fest in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on its opening day, the organizers' press service said Friday. 15 Jun 2018
Psychic cat predicts Iran win

Psychic cat predicts Iran win

Achilles the psychic cat, has predicted Iran will defeat Morocco on Saturday morning (AEST) 15 Jun 2018
Russian Upper House Speaker to Visit FIFA World Cup Host City of Saransk - Press Service

Russian Upper House Speaker to Visit FIFA World Cup Host City of Saransk - Press Service

MOSCOW, June 15 (Sputnik) - Russian Federation Council speaker Valentina Matvienko will visit Russia's Republic of Mordovia, where World Cup host city of Saransk is located, on Friday, the Federation Council press service said. 15 Jun 2018
Over 17,000 Attendees at Rostov-on-Don's World Cup Fan Fest on Opening Day - Official

Over 17,000 Attendees at Rostov-on-Don's World Cup Fan Fest on Opening Day - Official

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 15 (Sputnik) - Over 17,000 people attended the 2018 FIFA World Cup fan fest in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on its opening day, Head of Rostov 2018 Organizing Committee Pavel Gavrikov said Friday. 15 Jun 2018
Russia midfielder Gazinsky 'unconventional'

Russia midfielder Gazinsky 'unconventional'

Yury Gazinsky, who scored the opener in the World Cup between Russia and Saudi Arabia, is unconventional player, according to his first coach.. 15 Jun 2018
Saudi team fell short by 95%

Saudi team fell short by 95%

Saudi Arabia failed to fulfil requirements "even by five percent" in their opening World Cup match, according to the nation's Sports Authority. 15 Jun 2018
Oracle cat to predict Morocco v Iran result

Oracle cat to predict Morocco v Iran result

Achilles the cat, who lives at St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum and serves as the animal oracle for the FIFA World Cup, will predict the winner of the match between Morocco and Iran later on Friday, St. Petersburg's Committee for Tourism Development said Friday. 15 Jun 2018
Russia's Victory in World Cup Opening Match to Be 'Basis for Future Success' - Official

Russia's Victory in World Cup Opening Match to Be 'Basis for Future Success' - Official

MOSCOW, June 15 (Sputnik) - Russia's victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening match will be a "great basis" for their "future success", a member of the Russian State Duma Committee for Physical Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth Affairs Dmitry Svishchev said late on Thursday. 15 Jun 2018
No Violations Registered During FIFA World Cup Opening Match - Russian Interior Ministry

No Violations Registered During FIFA World Cup Opening Match - Russian Interior Ministry

MOSCOW, June 15 (Sputnik) - The press office of the Moscow Administration of the Russian Interior Ministry told Sputnik late on Thursday that no violations of public order had been registered at the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. 15 Jun 2018
China Wishes Successful 2018 FIFA World Cup, Good Luck to Russia National Team – Statement

China Wishes Successful 2018 FIFA World Cup, Good Luck to Russia National Team – Statement

BEIJING, June 15 (Sputnik) – Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan wished a successful 2018 FIFA World Cup and good luck to the Russian national team during her meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Chinese State Council said on Friday in a statement. 15 Jun 2018
‘Unbelievable’ Day: World Cup 2018 kicks off

‘Unbelievable’ Day: World Cup 2018 kicks off

Millions of fans from around the world witnessed an unforgettable 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. The organizers put on a spectacular show, similar to the Sochi 2014 Olympics, and Russia’s football team did not disappoint as they thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening game of the tournament. 15 Jun 2018
Fernandes says team constantly feeling pressure ahead of World Cup

Fernandes says team constantly feeling pressure ahead of World Cup

Russia's Brazilian-born defender Mario Fernandes said on Thursday that the team has constantly felt the pressure ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening match. 15 Jun 2018